Bangla bandh

Bangladesh has officially protested against the Tipaimukh project. Research conducted by the Bangladesh government shows that the project will alter the flow of the Surma and Kushiara rivers, which flow out of the Barak in Sylhet district, feeding river Meghna.

While the Indian government has taken the stand that the project does not violate the joint rivers commission agreement, Bangladesh is worried that even if the project does not withdraw water for irrigation it will alter the seasonal flow of water downstream.

The study done under the Bangladesh Flood Action Plan says the Tipaimukh dam will decrease monsoon flood levels and increase dry season flows. This, it claims, could alter monsoon cropping and slow down post-monsoon drainage. On the other hand, pre-monsoon flood levels in some areas of Bangladesh could increase, affecting up to 5,000 sq km. Besides this, the fate of four important projects in Bangladesh, downstream of Tipaimukh depends on the Tipaimukh dam.